A partnership between United Airlines and Verizon Communications will add wireless Internet access to United’s fleet.
United stands to be the first domestic airline to provide passenger and crew access to the Internet while in flight. The Federal Aviation Administration recently granted approval for Verizon to install equipment in United’s planes to provide Wi-Fi access.
The in-flight approval from the FAA comes after demonstrations of 802.11b/g communications showed they do not interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft.
The FCC still has to approve the proposal. An expected launch date would come after the FCC’s scheduled “Air-to-Ground” spectrum auction of service rights and frequencies to one or more providers.
Verizon currently provides United with Airfone service, allowing for in-flight phone calls. The company hailed the FAA decision, which currently applies only to the B757-200 aircraft on which it was tested.
“Our wireless broadband system will require only the addition of an avionics box, a wireless access point and a directional antenna, making it the faster and more affordable choice for United and its passengers,” said Bill Pallone, president, Verizon Airfone.
For United, the new service could be a big hit with business travelers, and may help in moving them to its airlines.
“Our research shows that connecting to the Internet is customers’ most preferred form of communication to the ground, and this certification is a crucial step to bring this inflight wireless access to our customers,” said Dennis Cary, United’s senior vice president, Marketing.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
